Daily Titan: Thursday, March 18, 2010

March 18, 2010

Vol. 87 Issue 23

Senior heavyweight on the road to NCAA Wrestling Championships SPORTS, Page 10

Demonstration addresses national gay rights violations

THURSDAY

NEWS, Page 2

Manchester Orchestra performs at The Troubadour

SOUND-OFF, Page 8

Sound-off: What defines music?

SOUND-OFF, Page 6

The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton

CSU honors internment victims LMFAO to play

Spring Concert

By Tanya Ghahremani

Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com

In the spring of 1942, hundreds of thousands of Japanese Americans were removed from their homes and forced into internment camps.

Among those who faced this injustice, many were students who had to leave their studies.

The Nisei Diploma Project is a collaborative effort of all the current CSU campuses that had JapaneseAmerican students who were removed and forced into internment camps during World War II. While Cal State Fullerton was not open at the time, six other CSU campuses were – Fresno, Pomona, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose and San Luis Obispo. Through the project, those removed and forced into internment camps will receive Honorary Bachelor of Humane Letters degrees.

According to the project’s Web site, the CSU system hopes to at least ease the pain of the incarceration the students faced, and welcome the students back into the CSU. When Beverly DiDomenico photo courtesy flickr.com/fredmikerudy heard about the project, she was Japanese children were forcibly evacuated and moved to internment camps while their homes were burned down by the U.S. Navy during WWII. overjoyed.

Both of her parents were removed six campuses included began plan- cans began shortly after the bombing camp – I didn’t know what they were talking about. I didn’t find out about from their studies and placed in in- ning their ceremonies soon after and of Pearl Harbor in 1941.

It was during that time that ap- the relocation camp until I was takternment camps during the spring started to figure out how to locate the students. proximately 110,000 Japanese Ameri- ing American history in high school,” of 1942, and neither Unfortunately, cans on the West Coast were interned DiDomenico said. were able to complete The CSU system many of the stu- – all under the justification of ‘na- Her mother, now 88, didn’t tell their education later.

DiDomenico much about the intern“I know if the war hopes to at least ease dents who were tional security.’ from “It was an injustice upon people,” ment. hadn’t happened they the pain of the incar- removed “She really wouldn’t talk about it studies are Bentley said. would have finished ceration the students their now deceased.

DiDomenico’s parents were each (when I asked),” DiDomenico said. school,” DiDomenico faced, and welcome “Should we placed in different camps – her moth- “It was the worst time of her life.” said.

Joy Sato’s parents were both inGov. Arnold the students back have done it years er, Ellen Kuyama-Matsumoto, in Posago? Of course,” ton War Relocation Center, and her terned in 1942 as well.

Schwarzenegger signed into the CSU. “They said that they felt safe there.

Bentley said. “It’s father, Shigeki Matsumoto, in Gila the bill calling for the They were all together.” late, but it’s still a River War Relocation Center. project last summer.

“When I was young, my relatives According to Colleen Bentley, who worthwhile program we put together.”

See NISEI, Page 2 has been working on the project, the The internment of Japanese Ameri- would get together and talk about

“

By Melissa Maldonado

Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan. com

The Associated Students Inc. production staff has confirmed that the Grammy-nominated electropop group LMFAO will be headlining this year’s Spring Concert, scheduled for Friday, April 16.

E i g h t months of planning and Photo courtesy rene mclean open-ended student surveys showed the band was favored alongside Lil’ Wayne, Kanye West and No Doubt.

“We’ve been planning the event since July,” said junior Michelle Carnero, Spring Concert coordinator. Carnero’s first task was to discover which artists students cared to see perform on campus. Campus-conducted surveys showed that LMFAO was in the top 10.

“Afterwards, the majority of the year is spent getting the biggest artist we possibly can within our budget ($100,500 of the ASI budget has been allocated to the concert) and reminding people to save the date and just letting people know that the concert is coming up,” Carnero said. After the original headliner, hip-hop artist Drake, unexpectedly backed out, the chart topping, campus-friendly group became a favorable alternate.

“When booking a band, we contact an artist’s agent and ask for availability and interest and if they agree.

Then Thomas Kocina, the ASI program director, and I will bring it to the Finance Committee to get it approved.

See LMFAO, Page 3

“

Titan baseball aces take the mound

By Fred Bloom

Daily Titan Staff Writer sports@dailytitan.com

photo By NICK MARLEY/Daily Titan Photo Editor Sophomore right-hander Tyler Pill pitches in to Arizona State Sun Devils.

Cal State Fullerton sophomore right-hander Tyler Pill, sophomore right-hander Noe Ramirez and junior righty Daniel Renken are three of the most highly-touted starting pitchers in college baseball.

The three have managed to balance personal aspirations with understanding and distinguish the difference between competition and competitiveness.

Sacrificing individual goals for team accomplishments led to the development close relationships.

“We all love to joke around. We’re like brothers,” Ramirez said. “We help each other out. We’re always there for each other. It’s that way with the whole team but there’s just a special bond between us three.”

Pill and Ramirez were both named Freshman All-Americans following stellar rookie seasons and shared Big West Freshman Pitcher of the Year honors last year.

Ramirez was 9-2 with a 3.33 ERA. Pill set CSUF freshman records in wins, shutouts, and winning percentage.

He went 11-3 with a 4.06 ERA. Renken, majoring in comparative re-

Multimedia

Eyebrow threading is a growing trend.

Check out the news story at: www.dailytitan.com/eyebrowthreading

ligion, is the oldest of the three.

He made 14 starts as a freshman in 2008, going 5-5 with a 4.11 ERA. He was even better in 2009, posting a 2.69 ERA good enough for 2nd in the Big West Conference and 23rd nationally.

He was able to retain his position as ace of the staff, but not without pressure from the two rookie standouts.

They all watch each other closely when on the mound and hopes to top that performance in his next start.

“We want to compete against each other’s starts,” Pill said. “It’s just competitive nature. For them to do well pushes me even harder to do well.”

The early success of the freshmen was a pleasant surprise for the Titans but veteran Renken maintained his role.

However, he admitted adding more star pitchers brought new elements to the staff off the field.

“We’re not out there to put more pressure on each other. We’re out there to make sure we get better,” Renken said, adding that they do feel the need to outperform one another.

“The pressure we do put on each other is good pressure.”

See TITAN TRIO, Page 10

OCTA bus service reductions have Orange County bus riders facing drastic changes.

Find out more at: www.dailytitan.com/OCTAbusreduction

2 2

March 18, 2010

INTERNATIONAL

Pakistan indicts 5 Americans on terror charges ISLAMABAD – A Pakistani court Wednesday indicted five young Americans from the Washington, D.C. area on charges of plotting terrorist attacks in Pakistan.

The men have been held in the eastern city of Sargodha since their arrests in December. If convicted, they could be sentenced to life in prison.

The five men, ages 18 - 24, are United States citizens of Pakistani, African and Egyptian descent. They lived within blocks of one another in Alexandria, Va. Police say the men left their homes in late November and flew to Pakistan with the hope of waging jihad, or holy war, against American forces in Afghanistan.

Khalid Khawaja, one of the lawyers representing the men, said they were also charged with plotting attacks in Afghanistan.

NATIONAL

Jobs bill headed to Obama’s desk WASHINGTON – The Senate Wednesday passed by a 68-29 margin a $17.6 billion measure intended to spur hiring nationwide, sending the bill to the White House for the president’s expected signature.

Once the bill becomes law, it would mark the first significant piece of job-creation legislation to pass since President Barack Obama and the Democratic Congress earlier this year declared that they would “pivot” and focus on reversing widespread unemployment.

The bill would grant employers an exemption from their 6.2 percent Social Security payroll contribution for every new employee hired through the rest of the year, as long as that employee had been out of work for at least 60 days. An additional $1,000 income tax credit would be allowed for every new employee kept on the payroll for 52 weeks.

STATE

School gay-bashing not free speech, court rules

LOS ANGELES – Students at an elite Los Angeles private school who posted death threats and anti-gay messages on the Internet site of a 15-year-old classmate can’t claim the constitutional protection of free speech, a California appeals court has ruled.

The parents of the boy targeted by the threatening and derogatory posts on his Web site withdrew him from Harvard-Westlake School.

They moved to Northern California to protect him from classmates who had incorrectly labeled him as gay and pronounced him “wanted dead or alive,” the boy’s father said in a lawsuit brought against six students and their parents. The defendants had attempted to deflect the charges by seeking a judgment from Los Angeles County Superior Court that the comments were First Amendment-protected speech on an issue of public interest, a motion denied by the lower court and upheld by the 2nd District Court of Appeal in a 2-1 decision Monday.

For the Record It is the policy of the Daily Titan to correct any inaccurate information printed in the publication as soon as the error is discovered. Any incorrect information printed on the front page will result in a correction printed on the front page. Any incorrect information printed on any other page will be corrected on page 2. Errors on the Opinion page will be corrected on that page. Corrections also will be noted on the online version of the Daily Titan.

Please contact Executive Editor Sergio Cabaruvias at 657-278-5815 or at execeditor@dailytitan.com with issues about this policy or to report any errors.

Daily Titan Editorial

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Copyright ©2010 Daily Titan

Students support gay rights By andrew kwok

Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com

Members of gay rights organizations from Cal State Fullerton and Cal Poly Pomona united Wednesday, March 17, to rally against Itawamba Agricultural High School’s prom cancellation in Fulton, Miss., and Westboro Baptist Church’s upcoming protest at Dutchtown High School in Dutchtown, La..

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against Itawamba High School for canceling prom due to a female student’s request to attend with a female date and wear a tuxedo, according to CNN. Kamah Wilson, a member of CSUF’s Queer Straight Alliance, organized the protest as soon as she heard about the prom cancellation at Itawamba High School.

“I think after I got over the emotional part, that’s when I was thinking, ‘Don’t just be emotional,’” Wilson said. “ ‘Do something about it.’ ” The protesters gathered at a table on the Titan Walk holding handwritten signs, and concluded the movement by marching and chanting across campus.

Wilson said she expected a roughly 60-person turnout, but the protest involved around 20 people at the peak of its attendance.

Wilson, who moved to California from Gonzales, La. in May 2009, was further motivated to take action after she heard that Westboro Baptist Church has planned to protest against Dutchtown High School’s play, “The Laramie Project,” which features a gay man as its main character.

Westboro will protest against the play at Dutchtown High School during the performance, according to WAFB, a news station in Louisiana.

photo By David munoz/Daily Titan Staff Writer Members of Queer Straight Alliance march pass Langsdorf Hall in protest in reaction to eents in Mississippi and Louisiana.

Gonzales is located near Dutchtown, which is why the issue had a significant impact on Wilson.

Supporters of the movement were reached through Facebook, which is how Cal Poly students like Courtney True learned about the protest.

True, president of Cal Poly’s Queer Students & Allies for Equality, grew up in Texas and says she is familiar with institutionalized discrimination.

“In small towns, it’s very traditional, it’s very religious,” True said.

“Hate like this is homegrown; it comes from religious backgrounds and your parents and how they believe.”

True said that since California is more liberal than most Southern states, similar incidents involving gay

high school students may either be less prevalent or more overlooked.

“That’s another reason why we’re here – to bring it into the mainstream to let people be aware of what’s going on and the hate that’s being propagated all over the U.S.,” True said.

Katie Claburn, a member of QSA, said she had heard of gay students who worked around school policies in order to have same-sex dates to their high school proms. Claburn recalled that two couples had posed as opposite-sex dates and switched during the dance.

“No one hears about these issues,” Claburn said.

“If they were more mainstream, it would get more coverage; people would see what a problem it really is.”

Q-SAFE plans to hold its own movement against Itawamba High School, but since Cal Poly’s winter quarter has just ended, the organization will have to wait until the week after Cal Poly’s spring break, True said.

Claburn said that although the problem at Itawamba High School could have been avoided if McMllen decided to go to the prom alone, Itawamba’s discrimination against homosexuals is an important issue that needs to be addressed.

“In some places, it’s just still not accepted,” True said.

“That’s why this needs publicity; that’s why this needs to be able to be seen by more than just the queer community.”

Nisei: survivors of american internment

From Page 1

Having heard about the Nisei Diploma project, Sato says she feels very happy for her parents.

“It would have meant more to my father, because he studied very hard and then the war broke out and he had to stop.”

Though Sato’s father did attend a Quaker college in Philadelphia for some time later, he had to leave in order to tend to his family’s farm back west.

“He continued his education, teaching himself.”

Her mother, Mariko Sato, and their parents’ schools. Their parher father, Jyuichi Sato, both at- ents are among the approximately tended 250 other what is Ja p a n e s e now San American Diego students S t a t e that the Un i v e r CSU camsity at puses are the time t r y i n g of the reto find, location. though – Beverly DiDomenico Sato Bentley and Diis quick Domenico both found out about to point out that this is not an the project through letters from exact number.

“

...my relatives would get together and talk about camp ... I didn’t find out about the relocation camp until I was taking American history in high school.

“

IN OTHER NEWS

“It’s as close as they can get,” she said, adding that it’s believed that, statewide, as many as 2,500 students were removed from their school during the internment.

That number comes from studies done by other Japanese-American organizations.

The ceremonies for the degrees are officially in May, but the campuses are being flexible with the dates, accounting for the schedules of family members attending and the wishes of the families.

“The campuses are being incredibly thoughtful,” Bentley said.

3

March 18, 2010

Business club hosts OCTA speaker

By Katie rossomano

Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com

Students to fight cancer at annual relay

By Sean Laurino

For The Daily Titan news@dailytitan.com

The second annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life Cal State Fullerton will give students, faculty and staff the opportunity to work together to fight against cancer.

Relay for Life will last 24 hours, beginning Saturday, April 10 at 10:00 a.m. and ending Sunday, April 11 at 10:00 a.m. Relay participants will walk around the Engineering and Computer Science building lawn to raise cancer awareness.

Relay for Life CSUF is a non-profit event that is part of the American Cancer Society Colleges Against Cancer Program that raises money for cancer research and programs. Donations will support the Road to Recovery program, providing cancer patients rides to and from their medical treatment.

Kaila Zamites, 18, the Fight Back chairman for CSUF Relay for Life, said that the reason the relay will last 24 hours is because cancer never sleeps, so neither will the participants.

“One person from each team has to be walking at all times,” Zamites said.

According to the American Society of Cancer (ASC) there were an estimated 1.4 million new cases of cancer in 2009.

“Everyone has been affected by cancer in some way,” Zamites added.

The event’s motto is “One Day. One Night. One Community. One Fight.”

The relay will start with the Survivors’ Lap, in which all of the cancer survivors at the event will walk around the perimeter of the lawn together to celebrate their victorious battle over cancer. After that, the teams will begin their 24 hour walk. Live bands, games and raffles will keep the participants entertained during the relay. Raffle tickets will cost $1 and all the proceeds will go directly to the American Cancer Society.

The second portion of the relay, the Luminaria Ceremony, remembers victims who lost in their battle with cancer. Candles are lit inside paper bags that display the name of a person affected by cancer. The participants will then walk a lap in silence and get a feel for why defeating cancer is such an important priority, Zamites said.

There were an estimated 562,000 deaths as a result of cancer in the United States in 2009, according to the ASC. The Fight Back Ceremony wraps up the 24 hour event. Event participants will each sign a purple cancer ribbon which represents a pledge to help save lives by taking up the fight against cancer. According to Zamites, a list of cancer fighting organizations will be listed to provide participants the opportunity to contact an organization and volunteer.

Laura Lee, 23, a biology major and the event’s co-chair, has high expectations for this year’s event.

“Our goal is to have 45 groups

participating and to raise $37,000,” said Lee. Money is raised through registration fees, donations and fundraising events.

Registration is $100 per team or $10 for individuals who want to participate.

Even though team captains must be CSUF students, faculty or staff members, everyone can take part of this event and join a team.

CSUF Relay for Life team development chairman Danielle Riniolo, 20, is taking part in the relay for her cousin.

“My cousin has had cancer since she was 8 years old and my main motivation is her,” Riniolo said.

She is also the captain of Team Infinity that has worked deals with local restaurants to host fundraising nights.

Coldstone at the Orangefair Mall in Fullerton will donate 15 percent of customer purchases from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on March 22 to CSUF Relay for Life.

The Cantina Lounge in Fullerton will host an all-day event on March 25 and donate 20 percent of customer purchases directly to the CSUF Relay of Life.

Other student groups will also host fundraisers on the day of the event, such as bake or craft sales.

Registration will be open until the day of the event at Relayforlife.org/calstatefullertonCA. Even if an individual cannot attend the event, they can still help fight cancer by donating through the Web site.

LMFAO:The Band signs on From Page 1

The Board of Directors approves the artists and then we can go into contract with the artist,” Carnero said.

LMFAO, with three number one hits in 2009, performed at Florida State University and UCI and will be opening for the Black Eyed Peas this spring, was one of the few acts within financial range.

“I think it is going to be a huge concert for Cal State Fullerton,” said junior political science major and ASI Chief Governmental Officer Gregory Washington. “LMFAO is really popular and I think this will be by far the

most popular Spring Concert we have had yet.”

Last year, the Spring Concert was sold out, but only 2,000 people attended the show.

“This year we're aiming for another sold out show as well as a completely packed stadium,” Carnero said.

The Spring Concert is limited to 3,000 students (2,500 students and 500 guests) and is considered a closed event.

“I would totally go see LMFAO. They are a really upbeat and energetic group that will definitely bring the school community together,” said senior child and adolescent development major Mary Jo Pluchino.

ASI made changes to the show in order to bring in greater audiences.

“We got a lot of complaints about the line being too long last year. This year, we've made adjustments to move the line twice as fast,” Carnero said.

“Also, this year's concert won't have a rock band, unlike the last three years.

We have one huge headliner and a more up-and-coming opening act rather than co-headliners like last year.”

The concert will take place at the Titan Stadium April 16. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the event beings at 7 p.m.

Admission for students is free and the guest fee is $10. Tickets go on sale at the TSU Info Services Monday, March 22.

“

I just wanted to find out what OCTA is doing right now... I was also just curious because he is the mayor.

“

photo By nick marley/Daily Titan Photo Edior Cancer survivors start off Cal State Fullerton’s first Relay For Life on the engeneering and computer science lawn last year.

The chairman of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) spoke at Cal State Fullerton yesterday about its administration, struggle with budget cuts and recent innovations.

Chairman Jerry Amante is also the mayor of Tustin, a Republican candidate for state legislature and an experienced corporate real estate lawyer.

Amante spoke to about 20 students in CSUF’s Titan Student Union. He arrived dressed in a suit and tie; attire that was inconsistent with his casual, amiable manner.

He made himself comfortable by leaning on the table at photo By Katie rossomano/Daily Titan Staff Writer the front of the room and then Jerry Amante speaks to Cal State Fullerton students about OCTA, his experiences as jumped into the conversation mayor of Tustin and about his political stance at the TSU on Wednesday. about OCTA. He began by informing the Amante said that OCTA has a position of power as a way to group about what makes OCTA been affected by large budget cuts. give back to the community. unique from other transportation Last year, it lost $20 million that When Amante asked the auauthorities. would have financed buses. How- dience for questions, Bansil in“OCTA handles everything that ever, he said that OCTA made quired about the increased rates moves (in Orange County), with adjustments at the administrative to ride buses, and the decreased the exception of planes,” Amante level before impacting lower level number of routes. said.

Amante said that it was exemployees.

He said that OCTA is one of the OCTA is governed by 18 elect- tremely difficult for OCTA to largest transportation authorities in ed, appointed cut routes, but that the adminthe nation, with and public of- istration did its best to elimiover 2,000 emficials. nate the least used routes. ployees.

They cut He also said that it costs Amante said the number of about $1.50 to ride the bus, but that OCTA is their meetings that the actual cost is $6 and tax unique because it by half and money covers the difference. runs on self-sufused electronics CSUF’s Future Business ficient funding to make the re- Leaders of America Phi Beta that is derived maining meet- Lambda student organization from a half-cent ings paperless. invited Amante to speak on sales tax.

Jaina Ban- campus.

– Jaina Bansil sil, a sophmore He said that it Patrick Tomas, co-president, has a $1.1 billion business ma- said that the organization meets Business major budget this year. jor, attended three times a month and tries to Each tax dollar is A m a n t e ’ s have a professional speaker atdivided accordspeech. tend each meeting. ingly: 42 cents to “I just wantTomas said that he has some freeways, 32 cents to streets and 25 ed to find out what OCTA is doing aspiration to go into policy cents to transit. right now. I’m a bus rider. I was also making in the future, and that He also emphasized the innova- curious because he’s the mayor,” Amante’s talk encouraged him. tive measures that OCTA is taking, Bansil said. She said that she was “I just really liked his personsuch as improving safety measures inspired by the perspective Amante ality, he was causal, he gave his at railroad crossings and initiating provided on the advantages of be- own perspective rather than bemassive Metrolink expansion. ing a leader. He discussed being in ing all political,” Tomas said.

4

March 18, 2010

Letter to the Editor Does the expansion of legal medical marijuana do more harm than good?

By james Gobee

Daily Titan Staff Writer opinion@dailytitan.com

The expansion of medical marijuana is something that has been damaging to the moral fiber of the United States.

Medical marijuana is obtained with a medical marijuana card and there are countless Americans who are fabricating illnesses to get their hands on a card to ensure their recreational use of marijuana is not considered illegal.

Medical marijuana cards are obtained with ease and the illegalization of marijuana is being forced to sit in the backseat of a hypothetical car, being hot-boxed by the law-evading pothead and his or her stoner friends.

The U.S. has turned to lies and deceit in order to get its hands on the sticky icky.

Marijuana is sometimes used to treat illnesses like HIV and multiple sclerosis. It is no mystery that it does have healing potential.

Massachusetts joined the growing, yet still short, list of states that have legalized medical marijuana.

The state voted 65 percent in favor of people being caught holding an ounce or less of marijuana being charged with

a civil offense as opposed to a criminal offense.

It’s funny that on the same ballot greyhound racing was banned.

Nearly 62 percent of all of the children and young adults, ages 12-17, in drug treatment centers in 2000 had a primary marijuana diagnosis.

TV shows like “That ‘70’s Show” condone the smoking of marijuana without consequence or harm, making it an attractive activity to children and teens.

Marijuana smoke contains 50-70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke.

These carcinogenic hydrocarbons increase the risk of bronchitis and emphysema, as well as lung cancer. It also leads to changes in the brain, causing reduced cognitive functions.

It’s a mere myth that marijuana is harmless and not addictive.

Marijuana use affects alertness, concentration and reaction time, all necessities to the safe operation of automobiles.

Young people tend to underestimate the dangers of drugged driving.

Non-pot smokers often refer the long term affecting of senses such as these as: smoking yourself stupid.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an emergency department episode was conducted involving marijuana usage revealing that it almost tripled from 1994 to 2002, making marijuana the most widely used illicit drug in the U.S.

By Melissa Hoon

Daily Titan Staff Writer opinion@dailytitan.com

Imagine your mother suffers from epilepsy. The Dilantin her doctor prescribed is not effectively controlling her seizures, so he prescribes a remedy he is almost certain will work: marijuana.

No, I’m not some potsmoking hippie who thinks weed can act as Jesus’ healing hand to all, but let’s get real.

Marijuana has been proven to alleviate health problems, so what’s the big deal with patients smoking a little pot?

The possible side effects of marijuana, like paranoia, are short-term and are not as detrimental to patients’ overall health like other medications prescribed for health problems, such as ADHD, can be.

Marley Rosner, 23, an American studies graduate student, said his friends with ADHD were prescribed Ritalin and became extremely depressed, so they objected to taking it.

Rejecting medication? I can understand why patients run screaming to avoid popping pills that make their heart and mind race so fast they can’t think straight, but I can’t see a patient avoiding a drug that

will do just the opposite.

But marijuana can be addictive and – gasp! – it’s been said to be a gateway drug. According to Dr. Colin Blakemore, department chair of physiology at the University of Oxford, only 10 percent of marijuana users become physiolocially dependent.

“Unlike for nicotine, alcohol and hard drugs, there is no clearly defined withdrawal syndrome, the hallmark of true addiction, when (marijuana) use is stopped,” Blakemore said.

And a gateway drug? Please.

Marijuana comes first because it’s most easily accessible. If a fourth of teens at the local high school made their car payments with money from selling cocaine instead of weed, then cocaine would be dubbed the latest “gateway drug.”

Yes, marijuana can cause some lung damage. That’s precisely the reason why medicinal marijuana should be legal nationwide. Patients with medical marijuana cards can buy edible marijuana products, like cookies and cooking oil, thus eliminating the inhalation of the ever-so-harmful smoke.

Since people without medical problems find ways to obtain medical marijuana cards, some say its recreational use will increase. But let’s face it: people who obtain a card for recreational use are going to get a hold of marijuana one way or another.

So why not purchase it legally at a marijuana store as opposed to from a busboy pot dealer your girlfriend’s cousin’s best friend told you about?

We offer this letter as a response to Dr. Milton Gordon’s request for input from the university’s “Strategic Planning Summary” released March 9, 2010.

We write as students concerned with the present state and future direction of the University…

We believe that the cultivation of humanistic values, and with this also the intellectual development of critically-engaged, cosmopolitan individuals, is neither incidental to, nor merely a desirable aspect of, a university education. This is a core function of the university, and should be regarded as such.

We resent being referred to in planning documents simply as “consumers,” “clients” or “human capital.” We are human beings, first and foremost, and should be educated as such...

We fear that current proposals to discontinue the French, German and Portuguese language programs, and with this also the classical guitar performance program, are merely the first steps towards a more systematic restructuring of the University…

We remind Cal State Fullerton’s strategic planners that, as students, we do not necessarily attend university simply to acquire professional “certificates and licenses”… or to better position ourselves for a future in the workforce. We are not here to be programmed as machines designed solely for the generation and accumulation of wealth, personal or otherwise. We are not here to be trained simply as efficient or productive members of society.

We are here, instead, because we desire to become critically-engaged members of society. We are here to better inform ourselves about the world around us, to question our beliefs and broaden our worldviews. We are here, in short, because the University provides us with opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery, and for engagement in and with our society. Such pursuits have a social value that cannot be reduced to one-dimensional monetary considerations.

We recognize that we are living in troubled economic times, and that difficult choices must be made to sustain the university over the course of the next few years. We are concerned, however, that hasty, short-term cuts to various programs and services will have a permanent impact on the structure, reputation and ultimately definition of our university. We fear that such cuts will serve to undermine the university’s fundamental mission to educate.

In light of these statements, we respectfully ask that the university’s strategic planners take the following points into consideration: 1. That course and program offerings in

the humanities, social sciences and fine arts are core to the definition of the university, and to the quality of its graduates…

2. That “timely graduation” is important, but only insofar as it does not compromise our ability to mature intellectually, and to grow as human beings…

3. That it is crucial for the university to continue allocating resources to programs which are dedicated in full or in part to the representation of minority and underrepresented groups…

4. That it is essential for the university to offer a “broad, high quality and full array of programs,” and to support and promote the notion of learning for its own sake…

5. That the research our professors do is not just valuable in and of itself, but is essential to the quality of our education, and to the reputation of our university…

6. That it would be in the interest of students and faculty alike to rethink the university’s reliance on under-paid part-time faculty…

7. That it is not desirable to adopt pedagogical models that institutionalize online instruction as the principal or sole method for educating students…

8. That it is essential to commit to, and reinvest in, smaller classes, ones in which students are better able to engage with course content, and with each other…

9. That it is of particular importance to respond vigorously to accusations that the theoretical (and thus “unapplied”) work we do as university students is “esoteric,” and somehow divorced from “reality.” … Instead of pandering to, and thus reinforcing, the prevalent anti-intellectual currents in contemporary society, the university needs to be at the forefront of a broader movement to reassert the value of learning and knowledge as a social, cultural, and moral “good,” and not just as an economic or technological necessity…

Signed, Jackie Bebawi, History Rodrigo Calderon, College of the Arts Samantha Guzzi, History On behalf of Students for the Re-Humanization of Society and the University. the.discussion1@gmail.com

This letter has been trimmed for space.

Every occurance of an elipses (“...”) indicates a place where the authors trimmed back.

To view the full-length version of this letter, visit: DailyTitan.com/2010/03/strategic-planning/

5

March 18, 2010

War for oil still going strong

Shades of Green

by Cort Tafoya

“Made from 100% all-natural opinion”

Daily Titan Staff Writer opinion@dailytitan.com

“

No ‘brakes’ for fixie riders

by April Ehrlich

Daily Titan Features Editor opinion@dailytitan.com

photo courtesy mct

pending war with Iraq that not even the families of military men and women were told would occur.

Jan. 16, 2003, two months before the invasion, the Wall Street Journal reported, “Executives of U.S. oil companies are conferring with officials from the White House, the Department of Defense and the State Department to figure out how best to jump-start Iraq's oil industry following a war.”

The heartlessness of those in power during the build up of the war cannot be more evident than in stories like these.

Rarely would I advise listening to a former chairman of the Federal Reserve, but even Alan Greenspan, a Bush crony and connected Washington elite, recently wrote about America’s motive for invading Iraq in his memoir, admitting, “I am saddened that it is politically inconvenient to acknowledge what everyone knows: the Iraq war is largely about oil."

Candor like this from high-ranking officials in government has to be expressed more frequently if this country is ever going to be honest about why we are in Iraq.

Whether it was imaginary weapons of mass destruction, “freeing” Iraq’s people or preventing the country from becoming a haven for al-Qaeda, the Bush administration never ran out of ways to justify the war.

But it was all a lie. Now it’s just a matter of when we’re going to admit it as a nation.

Too often have I ridden the streets of Orange County on a road bicycle only to have some beefed-up meathead nearly slam me with his pickup truck and yell, “Get some gears!”

My bike has ten speeds.

Apparently, the term “fixie” has been so carelessly tossed around with its ever-growing trendiness that its meaning has confused the average Southern California citizen into believing that all bikes with “skinny wheels” have no gears and no brakes.

Still, you can’t really blame these unobservant residents for their confusion – fixed-gear bicycles, naked of anything but a frame, a chain and crank, have swarmed suburban streets whilst carelessly side-swiping 16-wheeler delivery trucks and soccer moms speeding to get their children to the game on time.

Although it’s a grand thing to have kids exercising and utilizing eco-friendly modes of transportation, many of them are riding brakeless bikes with fixed gears – meaning the pedals are always in motion as the bike is moving. If the kid stops pedaling, the pedals keep moving unless he kicks his foot at the back tire to make it skid to a slow stop.

Why would anyone want to ride a bike that cannot immediately stop, you ask?

The idea of a lightweight bicycle

uninhibited by brakes and gears was utilized by professional track racing – with track bikes, not road bikes.

Track bikes race on specified, undeterred tacks and fixed petals only benefit these riders in maintaining their speed.

Little do young fixie riders of today realize that their converted road bikes are only mimicking professional riders who rode on carefully planned paths. Now, they have taken this idea to the streets of Southern California, where vehicles speed in inflammatory road rage and where there are few

“

same distance as a regular bike – well, this may or may not be true, but however quickly you can stop, if you bolt a brake on to your bike you will be able to stop quicker!”

Although riders may feel a competition amongst themselves, riding on the road is no playing field. Elders, children and disabled people may not agree with the risks of riding brake-less, yet riders are forcing risk upon them.

Nevertheless, there is one argument that I can’t argue against when it comes to riding fixed: “There is an almost mystical connection between a fixed-gear cyclist and bicycle, it feels like an extension of your body to a greater extent than does a freewheel-equipped machine,” writes cycling enthusiast Sheldon Brown in “Coasting is Bad For You.” Unfortunately, most of these hipsters are hardly experienced riders, and are not skilled enough to avoid the most common fixie catastrophes.

Although no one can deny an athlete’s desire to “take it to the next level,” most of these brake-less, helmet-less fixed riders are doing it for the sake of belonging to a trendy cult. And hey, guess what all you hippies, we live in Fullerton. This place is probably the most car-ridden, least bike-friendly area.

Remember that you’re hearing this from a cyclist who was hit by a car attempting to avoid a freeway entrance, so let me tell you, our streets are not built for riding.

Most of these hipsters are hardly experienced riders, and are not skilled enough to avoid the most common fixie catastrophes.

“

On the impending seventh anniversary of the war in Iraq, the truth that our government caused the deaths of roughly 100,000 civilians and 4,400 United States soldiers in an abominable quagmire for oil is utterly and immorally silent.

As if to excuse ourselves, we call the invasion of Iraq a “mistake,” say that our war on terror “went off course” or argue that the intelligence used to justify the occupation happened to be “faulty.”

But in a world where Wall Street banks perpetrate fraud to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars; health insurance companies abandon their promise of coverage decades.”

With help from corporate media, to customers the minute they become deathly ill; U.S. presidential the Bush administration purposely elections are blatantly stolen by created a panicky post-9/11 U.S., a hyper-partisan Supreme Court spewed reckless weapons of mass and democracy in the “land of the desruction hype and flagrantly unfree” is narrowed down to a choice truthful Iraq/Al-Qaeda connections between two parties bought and all so they could muster up support owned by corporations, why are we for war.

But they made it a point to keep still so incapable of admitting that former President George W. Bush a riveting truth under wraps: The purposely drove the U.S. to war removal of Saddam Hussein would give way to arguably the most profwith Iraq solely for profiteering?

Yes, it can happen here. In fact, it itable economic opportunity in the history of the world. is a truth no longer debatable.

Set aside the confusing, everWhile this nation's constitution speaks gracefully and powerfully changing rationale for our invaabout the natural rights of man, the sion, and remember what Academy Award winner Iraqi constitution Jack Nicholson speaks of crude Oil industry executives said in the 1990 oil – referred to mystery thrillin Article 26, were explicably made er, “The Two which reads that Jakes”: “You the government aware of an impending can follow the shall “insure the war with Iraq that not action, which full investment of gets you good its resources, di- even the families of You versification of its military men and women pictures. can follow your sources, and the instincts, which encouragement were told would occur. will probably and development get you in trouof the private secble. Or you can tor.” follow the monIn layman’s terms, the nationalization of the country’s oil under ey, which nine times out of 10 will Saddam Hussein would be out- get you closer to the truth.”

This ugly truth about oil and lawed. Taking its place would be crony-capitalism and corporatism money is out there.

You just have to find it. A numdominated by Western oil conber of high-ranking officials and glomerates.

Of this particular constitutional leaked documents have detailed for article and a parallel law passed by years the Bush administration's inthe Iraqi Ministry of Oil, the Glob- fatuation with Iraq and its oil preal Policy Forum (GPF), a United 9/11, proving without a shadow of Nations policy watchdog, wrote doubt our invasion had nothing to that, “Placed in context, it can be do with Bush’s radical thesis that if seen as laying the ground for radical the U.S. could only spread democchange in Iraq's oil industry, which racy throughout the Middle East, will be unique among the major Islamic terrorists would disappear oil producers of the Middle East… or that magically, the world had Contracts will be signed with for- "changed" after 9/11.

Back in 2002, a court order eign oil companies during the first nine months of 2006, opening the forced the U.S. Commerce Departmajority of Iraq's oilfields to West- ment to release documents conern companies for the first time in cerning the activities of then-Vice President Dick Cheney as well as 33 years.”

For Bush and his people, remov- his energy team, which unsurprising Hussein was like cracking open ingly was made up of leaders from a 10 trillion dollar petroleum trea- the oil industry.

The documents revealed that sure chest that had proved unconeight months before 9/11 this querable for decades.

The GPF went on to describe the task force created maps of Iraq’s economic impact the U.S. invasion oil fields, terminals, refineries and would have for lucky oil compa- pipelines, as well as a list of foreign nies, saying, “In the new setting, suitors who would likely be interwith Washington running the show, ested in oilfield contracts.

It is also an irrefutable certainty ‘friendly’ companies expect to gain most of the lucrative oil deals that that oil industry executives were will be worth hundreds of billions inexplicably made aware of an imof dollars in profits in the coming

pedestrians to look out for, let alone cyclists plunging between lanes.

An article titled “Are Brakes for Flakes?” published by the British messenger zine Moving Target, touches upon the primary reasons for riding brake-less: it allows the bike to look more sleek and enhances the rider’s awareness and riding skills.

The author, Buffalo Bill, also notes, “Brakeless riders claim that their skill level on a fixed wheel bike is so high that they can stop in the

For the record Articles written for the Daily Titan by columnists, other Cal State Fullerton students or guests do not necessarily reflect the view of the Daily Titan or Daily Titan Editorial Board.

Only the editorials are representative of the views of the Daily Titan Editorial Board.

“

6

March 18, 2010

A concise definition of music

Band chills its way to the top

By Melissa hoon

Daily Titan Staff Writer soundoff@dailytitan.com

For fans of: Kings of Leon, Foo Fighters, The Killers

By Kristen Hulsey

Daily Titan Design Editor soundoff@dailytitan.com

The concept of defining music seems like more of an abstract challenge than a fixed equation. Obviously, when it comes down to it, everyone has a different opinion of what constitutes music. If they didn’t, your buzz wouldn’t be killed at 10 p.m. by your irate mom demanding that you turn off “that racket.” But where do these varying ter of Latin music producer Javier opinions collide, and at what point Martinez, believes that real music does a definition become apparent, hasn’t thrived since the beloved if at all? hippie days, when bands like JefTo answer this question, I asked ferson Airplane and The Grateful people with contrasting musi- Dead preformed on stages across cal preferences – a Latin music the globe. “I look at lyrics in muproducer’s daughter, a DJ and an sic, rather than just beats, because indie rock band guitarist – what with everything becoming so electhey think defines music. Not-so- tronic it seems fake and soulless,” surprisingly, each had a different she added. When asked to define genre of choice. However, all three music, Maggie argued that there seemed to have are multiple catthe same basic egories and that idea when it true music lovers I asked people with came to what understand that c o n s t i t u t e d contrasting musical different people music. And, preferences – a Latin express themalthough mu- music producer’s selves in different sic may someways. daughter, a DJ and an times be the “There are difdividing fac- indie rock band guitarist ferent kinds of tor in social – what they think people, races and interaction, religions. Why defines music. Not-soit seems that can’t there be difwe are united surprisingly, each had a ferent types of when it comes different genre of choice. music?” to the definiIvan Lopez, tion, or lack better known thereof, of as DJ iL, has a melody. somewhat different taste in music.

Music is the lifeblood of Ameri- He prefers West Coast hip-hop, a can culture; at least, that’s what hip-hop sub-genre. Though his loythe ‘60s taught us. Maggie Mar- alty is to a different genre, his opintinez, business major and daugh- ion on music is similar to Maggie’s.

“

Graphic By Kristen Hulsey/ Daily Titan Design Editor

He reasoned that everybody has his or her own taste, and “you have to keep an open mind and an open ear.” Additionally, his definition of music is “anything that moves you, motivates you, and touches your soul.”

Marco Padilla, lead guitarist for indie band Glacier Skies, prefers just that – indie rock. Marco said the beauty of indie lies in its deviation from popular sound. Simply put, he enjoys its non-mainstream rawness. Similar to Maggie and Ivan, Marco argued that there is no single definition of music. To him, music is simply something creative or expressive that someone produces, and a passion for music can be defined as something that gets in the way of other socially “important” things.

And so, ladies and gentlemen, the general consensus is in: music has no single definition. To try and define it seems almost disrespectful to music itself. Of course, there are common elements of music, such and counts and beats, but to simplify music into a finite set of beats is to rob it of the passion and soul that makes it important to so many people. Music is an art and, as with other forms of art, its beauty lies in the eye, or ear, of the beholder.

We've all heard that hard work and determination are the key ingredients to success. Need living proof that this is true? Just ask Snow In Africa.

Snow In Africa, a Long Beachbased band consisting of Nick Soliday (lead vocals, guitar), Brian Penhall (bass, vocals), Martin Molina (lead guitar, vocals) and Matthew Cheung (drums, vocals), formed just over a year ago and has already played packed shows at world-famous Hollywood venues like the Viper Room and Key Club.

"The goal of Snow In Africa has always been to push the limit of our abilities and break into uncharted territory," Soliday said.

With an upcoming national tour – and a European tour in the works – Snow In Africa (often compared to the sound of the Killers, Nickelback and Foo Fighters) is about to do just that. But let's not get ahead of ourselves.

The group of Southern California natives comes from humble beginnings, forming out of sheer serendipity when Alan, the band's current manager, caught Soliday playing an acoustic set at a coffee shop in Long Beach. Alan had been looking to start a new arena rock band since, according to him, only old bands like U2, Rolling Stones and Bon Jovi, were selling out arenas. He wanted something new and fresh, and decided Soliday could be the first piece to his new rock group puzzle.

Soliday moved into Alan's “band house” – a secret location where Snow In Africa now writes, practices and records – and together, they embarked on their search for musicians to form a band. Penhall and Molina responded to ads, and Cheung came by the house looking to rent a room. Instead, the guys discovered he was a drummer and had a five-hour jam session. The rest is history.

Since the group's formation,

Photo Courtesy of Snow In Africa Snow in Africa is(from left to right): Brian Penhall, Nick Soliday, Matthew Cheung, and Martin Molina

they have released a self-titled EP and are about to release their first album. The Key Club hosted Snow In Africa's first show, where they played an 18 song set with a five song encore. Not bad for a first performance.

Their national tour kicks off in April – their goal is to play 54 shows in a month, according to Soliday. In the meantime, they are writing and recording nonstop and consistently play shows in Orange County and Los Angeles, most often at Club Moscow.

One of the most interesting factors to the multi-faceted band is the fact that they live together in their band house. Considering most living situations like this on reality shows (“America's Next Top Model”, “Big Brother,” “The Bachelor,” etc.) are usually a recipe for disaster, you might be wondering if arguments frequently break out amongst this group of guys in their early twenties.

On the contrary. The band house is a songwriting haven and a catalyst for success because it forces the guys to remain focused and determined.

“We get along 90 percent of the time,” Penhall said, “which is pret-

ty damn good for four guys living together.”

Penhall notes that arguments usually occur because someone “woke up on the wrong side of the bed” – which sometimes happens because the group will stack cans waist-high in front of one of the guys' bedroom doors so they can't get out.

“We are human and sometimes we don't see eye to eye,” Molina said, “but that's normal for people who are around each other 24/7.”

Snow In Africa remains downto-earth despite having big goals such as wanting to attract a worldwide audience.

“We consider ourselves blue collar musicians,” Molina said. “But we are driven musicians in pursuit of our goals.”

Keep your eyes and ears out for more upcoming music from Snow In Africa. That won't be hard to do considering the explosion that's about to erupt with their new album and upcoming tour.

“We want to rock until we're old crippled men pumped full of heart medicine and Viagra,” Soliday said.

“But most importantly, we want to permanently touch the hearts of our fans with our music.”

“

7

March 18, 2010

CSUF alumnus drops criminal justice for a career in music

By Ashley Luu

Inspired by The Beatles, The Verve and early Radiohead music, Soundoff@dailytitan.com Hernandez said that, “it’s music anyone can relate to. There’s emoStemming from the soul, Tristestions from being very happy, to besa, a Los Angeles rock band, offers ing in love, to feeling heartbroken.” dramatic and heartfelt music “that Hernandez is motivated to creanyone can relate to, cry to, laugh ate music by practicing his guitar or to, or sing (along) with,” said lead piano or through experiences with singer Jude Hernandez. his wife and son.

Tristessa comes from a book of “Being a father is so new to me. the same name, written by Jack All these emotions come out. When Kerouac, which means melancholy you play a guitar, you sing a melody or sadness. and the words just come out,” Her“That’s what I was writing at nandez said. the time of my life. Those types Songs can stem from recent exof songs. I realized it fit perfectly,” periences, childhood memories or Hernandez said. when you’re in tune with music in Born in Downey and raised in a spiritual sense. In the end, it all Rolling Heights, Hernandez atconnects, Hernandez said. tended Mt. San Antonio College Hernandez said that he has nerand earned a bachelors degree in vous moments because he questions criminal justice at Cal State Fullerwhether or not he has chosen the ton. proper venue, and if audience memHowever, Hernandez’s aspirabers enjoy his music.

“I think nervousness is healthy because it shows you still have the desire to do well,” he added.

Hernandez said that he lays his heart out on stage because it’s “like a baseball game…I can stay quiet, relax and gather my thoughts, visualize how the songs will flow and even what I’ll say in between certain songs.”

Tristessa currently consists of lead singer, Jude Hernandez, guitar player, Jay Gregorio, and bass player, Brian Marcial.

“A lot of times, you have to remember that maybe you won’t be famous or well-liked, but you’re doing something (that) is a gift. That’s what makes me feel alive and that’s why I do it. It’s so much fun,” Hernandez said.

Photo by Abigal Tanori/For The Daily Titan Tristessa will perform at Jude Hernandez, CSUF ciminal justice alumnus, formed Tristessa at the age of 22 aafter taking The Gypsy Den March 26 up the guitar. in Santa Ana. Daily Titan Staff Writer

tions changed.

At age 22, Hernandez picked up the guitar and was immediately drawn to it because it felt natural to strum the chords and create melodies.

Within a few years, Hernandez taught himself how to play the guitar and was inspired to keep writing music after a successful performance at an open mic.

After two years of hard work, Hernandez and his band came out with Listen to Echoes, Tristessa’s debut album, which included 11 alternative and psychedelic rock songs with emotional lyrics.

Hernandez said that his favorite song, “Listen to Echoes,” is a timeless piece, written for his wife when they were dating.

“When I was recording it, I started crying. The chorus came out in a few minutes and it just felt good,” Hernandez added.

By XXXXXX XXXXX/Daily Titan Staff Photographer Xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx. Xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx

Events Calendar For March 18-20 Thursday, March 18

Friday, March 19

Saturday, March 20

Agent Orange at Key Club 8:30 p.m. 16+, $13

Beth Hart at The Echo 7:00 p.m., all ages, $15

Let’s Paint TV at Echo Curio 9:00 p.m., all ages, $5

Wrong Way Driver at Spaceland 8:30 p.m., 21+, $5

Brian Fallon (of the Gaslight An them) at The Troubadour 8:00 p.m., all ages, $15

Gomez at the El Rey Theatre 8:00 p.m., all ages, $23

Xiu Xiu at The Echo 8:30 p.m., 18+, $8 Bad Religion at House of Blues, Anaheim 7:00 p.m., all ages New Found Glory at House of Blues, Hollywood Strip 7:00 pm., all ages, $19.50 Sick Puppies at The Galaxy 8:00 p.m., all ages, $15

DJ Momjeans aka Danny Masterson at Detroit Bar 10 p.m. 21+, $10 Donovan at The El Rey Theatre 7:3 0p.m. all ages, $25 Rachelle Ferrell at Catalina Bar and Grill 10:00 p.m., 21+, $25 I AM GHOST at The Galaxy 8:00p.m. all ages, $12

Database at The Echoplex 9:00 p.m., 18+, $12 Mia Doi Todd at Bootleg 8:00 p.m., 21+, $10 Beth Hart at The Echo 7:00 p.m., all ages, $15 New Found Glory at House of Blues, Anaheim 6:30 p.m., all ages, $20

This Week at the Becker: Nico Vega

By Oscar romero

Daily Titan Staff Writer Soundoff@dailytitan.com

Associated Students Inc. Productions brought Cal State Fullerton students another edition of Wednesday concert at the Becker Amphitheatre featuring the band Nico Vega.

Playing seven of their original songs, Nico Vega had a wholehearted performance in front of the CSUF crowd of about 100. Despite the heat and technical difficulties, the band managed to put on an engaging and peculiar show.

“The sound was really good. The band is good,” said 29-year-old Michael Caffell.

Much of the show consisted of a passionate and uncanny Aja Volkmann, lead singer, as she strutted, jumped and climbed around the amphitheatre.

This indie band is a culmination of rock and soul with an energetic vibe.

They play the kind of music that makes you want to get up and dance.

Musically, they are reminiscent of The White Stripes, and are just as instrumentally simple with brisk and catchy songs. Nico Vega tunes feature

a mixture of slow and fast tempos and Miles Davis. They also credit with tempestuous beats. The vocals funkadelic as a source of inspiration. resonated like a nostalgic ‘60s perforAs for writing their songs, Koehler mance by Janis Joplin. develops a riffs with other parts of the Despite having the deceptive name song, and together they “jam it out.” of a solo act, Nico Vega is a lively trio “Aja is really great with the lyrics coming out of Los Angeles. and Melody,” said Epand. “It hap“Nico Vega came from the original pens pretty spontaneously and fast.” drummers mother’s The band opened maiden name,” said with the song “MediKoehler. “She lived cine Man.” The lyria cool legacy and we cal content expressed thought we can con- To see Nico Vega’s perfora woman’s want in a tinue that because man. mance visit: she is not with us Among the other anymore.” songs, Nico Vega Comprising the performed the crowd band is Volkman perfavorite “Gravity” an forming vocals, Dan indelible tune about Epand on drums and teasing. One the Rich Koehler on guimore memorable tar. With a little over lyrics of the song, four years playing www.dailytitan.com/ni- mimicked by the together, the band guitar, was “Nanancovega has released several ananana,” a play on EP’s and a full length the classic schoolyard self-titled album in taunt.

2009.

Nico Vega plans to release a new A lot of their songs feature psyche- album some time early next year. delic and experimental sounds generThe band takes off on tour along ated from influences like Black Sab- the Pacific Coast in collaboration bath, Led Zeppelin, John Coltrane with Metric.

Multimedia

8

March 18, 2010

Frightened Rabbit – The Winter of Mixed Drinks

Manchester Orchestra brings diverse set to Troubadour

By Matthew Baldwin For The Daily Titan

Soundoff@dailytitan.com

For fans of: Kevin Devine, Dear and the Headlights, The Format

By Sklar Smith

Daily Titan Opinion Editor Soundoff@dailytitan.com

For fans of: We Were Promised Jetpacks, Twin Atlantic Frightened Rabbit’s latest release, and their third album, is everything a junior album is expected to be: a refreshing new take on a bands sound that pushes past what they have created in the past, while maintaining that sound that made them popular. The Winter of Mixed Drinks does that with arena-rock sounds, a cleaner, more solid production and a majestic feeling that maintains throughout the album.

However, what has been lost in this process of advancing musically is a sense of feeling and emotion.

The Midnight Organ Fight, the bands sophomore album, entranced listeners and critics with painful lyrics of heartbreak, self hate, stubborn relationships and how “it takes more than fucking someone to keep yourself warm.”

These impactful lyrics were only strengthened by lead singer and song writer, Scott Hutchinson.

However, with Mixed Drinks, Hutchinson seems to be... optimistic. Could it be because the breakup that brought about the songs in Organ Fight has long

since passed? Could it be because he feels he needs to? Or is he just sick of being sad? I believe the latter, as the song “Not Miserable” will prove.

Every song on this album is has a force behind it that lays into the listener like a massive ship setting to sea for an epic adventure. This metaphor is appropriate, as almost every song seems to have a water theme to it.

The simple and catchy melodies that Frightened rabbit used to produce are now overwhelmed by waves of shoe gaze guitar sounds, reverb galore, immense orchestrations and odd audio samples. It can be said that they tried to hard to be grand, and could have tried hard to be honest with their own sound.

By no means should this album be discounted. It is still great, and will make for some great soundtrack and driving music. However, what fans loved about Frightened Rabbit is evolving. Let’s just hope the band remembers what they used to be, and makes a seaworthy sound worth setting sail to.

Indie-rock band Manchester Orchestra have made quite a name for themselves after last year’s well-received album, Mean Everything to Nothing. Manchester Orchestra headlined a two night stay at The Troubadour in Los Angeles on March 9 and 10.

It’s no surprise both dates were sold out, and on March 10 The Trouphoto courtesy of big hassle badour was packed with Manchester Orchestra is: Andy Hull (vocals, guitar) , Jonathan Corley (bass), Jeremiah Edmonds (drums), Christopher Freeman (keyboard), everyone anticipating Robert McDowell (guitar).

Manchester Orchestra’s performance.

After came Scottish rock band Home,” off the album I’m Like a The band did not speak very “I wanted to see (Manchester Biffy Clyro. Biffy Clyro had quite Virgin Losing a Child. much in-between songs, though Orchestra) because I’m a fan,” said a large fan base at the show, and The band’s sound has a pretty di- Hull did say that Manchester OrTheresa Garcia, 25, of Ventura. sounded similar to Muse. verse range. At times they were soft chestra were heading into the studio “I love their songs and connect Following were The Features and ambient, with Hull sounding this summer to record the follow up with their lyrics.” from Nashville, Tenn. They had a eerily similar to Kermit the Frog. to Mean Everything to Nothing, and Holly Brooks, 28, of LA, said similar sound to Manchester Or- At other times, the band channeled played a new song that will be on that the band’s passion, as well as chestra, and put on a pretty impres- their inner-Nirvana, complete with the album. hailing from a neighboring town in sive set. background screams.

“I thought they performed pretty Georgia, was why she was a fan of Then came time for the main Manchester Orchestra’s set was a well” said Garcia.

Manchester Orchestra. act. nice balance between I’m Like a Vir“Amazing” said Brooks.

Opening the night was Atlanta, Manchester Orchestra’s front gin and Mean Everything to NothAlthough not everybody shared Georgia’s own O’Brother. Sound- man and guitarist Andy Hull came ing, including tracks like “Shake it their sentiments. ing similar to Brand New’s softer out before the band, and broke into Out,” “My Friend Marcus,” “I’ve “I thought they were ok,” said material, O’Brother spent a major- “50 Cent,” an ode to the rapper.

Got Friends,” and “Everything to Kaitlyn Hennigan, 25, of Los Anity of their half hour set complainThe rest of the band joined Hull Nothing.” It also included was a geles. “I thought they were better ing about how bad they sounded. and broke into “Now that You’re cover of Neil Young’s “Walk On.” the first time I saw them.”

Editors’ Playlist

Carolina Chocolate Drops –Genuine Negro Jig

By Kristen Hulsey

Daily Titan Design Editor Soundoff@dailytitan.com

For fans of: The Avett Brothers, Gillian Welch, The Steeldrivers “Tradition is a guide, not a jailer.

We play in an older tradition but we are modern musicians,” said Justin Robinson, Carolina Chocolate Drops band member.

This almost perfectly sums up the sound of the Drops.

For those who have never been exposed to folk or string music, which probably includes a good percentage of Southern Californians, an initial reaction to The Drops might be one of reluctance or unease. But, once given the chance, the Drops’ Genuine Negro Jig proves a foot-tapping, modern twist to old-time string music that you’ll soon find yourself singing along to.

Although the album lacks original tracks (most of the songs are covers), the group still manages to put enough of a contemporary spin on its music so the sound is completely unique. “Hit

‘Em Up Style,” a Blu Cantrell cover, evolves the original song into a folk melody with beat boxing by Robinson in the background. Though Rhiannon Giddens’ vocals are a bit stretched at times, her bluesy voice complements the quirky violin and gives the R&B classic a more down-and-dirty vibe.

“Trampled Rose,” a Tom Waits cov-

er, features Dom Flemons on vocals with an added four-string banjo. The vocals lack the signature growl that makes Waits’ version so appealing, but the added banjo turns the song into a Drops original that can’t be ignored.

Surprisingly, one of the best songs on the album is also one of the only original Drops songs. “Kissin’ and

Photo courtesy of Nonsuch records Carolina Chocolate Drops are (from left to right): Dom Flemons, Rhiannon Giddens, and Justin Robinson.

Song you can’t help but dance to Cussin’” was written by Robinson and inspired by bad relationships like Ike and Tina Turner. The bluesy sound mixed with a heavy bass drum is passionate and emotional. The lyrics are strong and melancholy: “Now tell me, pretty baby, do you think you’re too sweet to die?”

Genuine Negro Jig features tighter banjo playing than previous Drops albums, with overpowering rhythm and jive that has been ignored until now.

The Drops are somewhat reminiscent of wartime radio (think The Andrews Sisters with more folk).

Though the fiddle, harmonica, kazoo and banjo may initially throw you off a bit, it won’t take long before the catchy beats and playful vocals turn you into a believer too.

Adrian Gaitan – Copy Editor “Bad Romance” – Lady Gaga Danielle Flint – Copy Editor “Major Tom” – Peter Schilling Donald C. Stefanovich – News Editor Elevator music Meghan Alfano – Sound-Off Editor “Air War” – Crystal Castles Christa Connelly – Photo Editor “Move Your Feet” – Junior Senior Nick Marley – Photo Editor “Shots” – LMFAO ft. Lil’ John

9

March 18, 2010

Crossword

1600

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Horoscopes

Cancer (June 22-July 22) You have lots of ideas today.

Your partner can make them become reality. Offer lavish praise when the job’s done.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Depend on your own insights now. If co-workers become inflexible, employ skillful leadership techniques to change their minds.

5 3 9 1

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) If practice makes perfect, then you just hit the big time. The careful application of force prevents breakage.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Recognize diversity by using each person’s unique talents, even if they don’t seem to apply right now. You’ll use them later.

Daily Sudoku: Fri 12-Mar-2010

3 8 1 9 6

6 4 5 8 2

9 6 5 4

2 5 1 4

8 9 2 5 1

9 2 3 7 4

How To Play: Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9: and each set of boxes must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

1 7 4 6 8

8

2 8 9 4 3 6 1 7 5 7 5 4 2 1 8 6 3 9 6 3 1 5 7 9 4 8 2 5 8 2 9

1 9 6 5

3 7 4 1

ku Ltd 2010. All rights reserved.

9 1

3 8 1 7 8 1 7 4

5

4 6 8 2 8

7 3 9 8

9 7

6 2 3 7

Daily Sudoku: Fri 12-Mar-2010

9 1 7 6

(c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2010. All rights reserved.

8 4 5 3

2 8 9 4 3 6 1 7 5

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Spend time refining your communication skills. You could start a bold new project. Get your ideas down on paper.

9 7

2 5 7 3 9

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Everything rests on your own need to be creative. Make time every day to stick your fingers into the clay. Process is more important than product.

6 5 4

hard

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Spend most of your time listening today. You want to press your advantage, but you’ll get better results by hanging back. Be patient.

9

3 8 1 7 8 1

(c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2010. All rights reserved.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Each time you ask for creative input, you reframe your practical desires.

Group logic provides greater opportunity to get your message out.

8 6 4 7 4 5

http://www.dailysudoku.com/

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) You feel transformation just around the corner. Are you ready? Check with the powers that be. Then, let it run full steam ahead.

4 3

(c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2010. All rights reserved.

2

4 1 6 2 3

Gemini (May 21-June 21) Possibilities open up in the work environment. The challenge is to make hay while the sun shines, then play later.

Sudoku brought to you by dailysudoku.com

5 3 9 1 7

Taurus (April 20-May 20) By taking several different approaches, you and your associate arrive at the same place at the same time. Ignore the man behind the green curtain.

Sudoku

3 6 7 8 2 4 9 5 1 9 2 8 1 5 3 7 4 6 1 4 5 6 9 7 3 2 8

Aries (March 21-April 19) Today’s challenge is to work with, not against, your partner. Yes, your ideas are brilliant. But you need agreement to make them work.

Daily Sudoku: Fri 12-Mar-2010

brought to you by mctcampus.com

7 6 8 4 5

C a mp

brought to you by mctcampus.com

10

March 18, 2010

Titan Trio: PITCHERS POISED TO DOMINATE OPPONENTS From Page 1

Combined, the three have earned Big West Pitcher of the Week five times since Renken’s first accolade in March of 2008, including Ramirez, who received the honor for the week of March 8, All-Big West First Team honors once and two Honorable Mention awards in 2009, Accounting for 31 of the Titans 47 wins last season.

Despite the various accolades and the potential competition for best pitcher on staff, the players are content with winning and refuse to let the pursuit of personal objectives distract them from their ultimate team goal.

“At the end of the day, it’s not about us. It’s about the team,” Renken said.

Developing a team-oriented, winning attitude is a trademark of Titan baseball and none of them want to do anything to ruin the tradition.

Ramirez was born in East Los Angeles and was heavily recruited out of Alhambra High. Renken and Pill were both drafted by the Colorado Rockies after high school. Renken was drafted in the 35th round out of Orange Lutheran High in 2007.

Pill, who attended Covina High, was drafted in the 38th round in 2008.

The appreciation for Titan baseball developed into a desire to wear Titan blue and orange, and eventually became a reality. Each player also credits close family ties to his decision to put on the Titans uniform.

“At Fullerton, it’s our own style of baseball. No one else in the country has this style,” Ramirez said.

While the three share Southern California roots and similar success, each pitcher uses a unique style on the mound.

Pill is a prototype fastball-curveball pitcher, according to Renken.

He has a “12-to-6” curveball that falls off the table and a fastball that can reach speeds over 90 mph. His

photo By Nick Marley/Daily Titan Photo Editor Titan starting pitchers sophomore Noe Ramirez and junior Daniel Renken stand tall on the mound at Goodwin Field.

pitching style is similar to LA Dodgers All-Star Chad Billingsley, Ramirez said.

Ramirez has a deceiving arm and

Titan Wrestler prepped and ready for NCAA Championship run By mark payne

For the Daily Titan

sports@dailytitan.com

A referee’s whistle starts the contest, and in a blink of an eye, chaos erupts as both wrestlers become locked in a battle for domination.

This is wrestling, one of the toughest sports in college athletics. Every college wrestler needs to step on the mat with the attitude of a Tasmanian devil, or suffer defeat.

Cal State Fullerton senior heavyweight Kurt Klimek knows what it takes to be a winner.

Klimek, like all wrestlers, has tasted both success and frustration while at CSUF. It is victory and accomplishment, however, that have been his most recent companions. His record this year, prior to the Pac-10 championships, was 25 wins and nine losses with six pins and 10 bonus-point wins.

At the Pac-10 championships, held at UC Davis Feb. 27, he had a great showing.

He finished fourth and earned a trip to Omaha, Neb. for the NCAA Div. I championships March 18-20.

Teammate junior Adin Duenas, who won the Pac-10 tournament at 141 pounds, explained Klimek’s success.“He works hard, is always in good shape, and wrestles hard the whole match,” he said.

Klimek has steadily improved over the year. Several times he defeated opponents he had lost to earlier in the season.

“I even surprised myself this year,” he said.

Klimek was born in Carlsbad and loved growing up in Southern California.

He wanted to wrestle somewhere close to home.“It was a big reason I came to CSUF,” he said.

He redshirted at CSUF his first year to gain some strength and experience. Coming out of Carlsbad High School, he was a stout 235 pounds, but needed to convert some of his body fat into muscle to increase his strength. He now stands a muscular 6’3” and weighs 285 pounds with

can paint the corners of the plate with his fastball, Pill said.

“He’s so long and lean that a lot of his success comes from a whipping

action with his arm,” Renken said of Ramirez.

Renken has a “filthy” changeup and is not afraid to use it in any

count. His mechanics are awkward but his changeup is reminiscent of Milwaukee Brewers’ closer Trevor Hoffman, according to Pill. His slider has improved greatly over the offseason and he works in a fastball to sneak it by hitters.

The Titans have struggled early this season, posting a 7-9 record following Wednesday’s loss to No. 1 Arizona State University.

Renken has yet to regain the form of his previous two seasons, even leaving a game during the first inning for the first time in his career due to back pain. However, the pitching staff remains optimistic about the remainder of the year.

“We started off slow but, if we put our minds to it, we’ll turn it around,” Pill said, adding that the team has the talent to get back to their winning ways. “There’s going to be a lot of hard work involved but I see us… coming together as a team and getting to Omaha. We just have to take it one game at a time.”

Baseball drops two straight to the Sun Devils

By Nicholas Fortes

Daily Titan Staff Writer sports@dailytitan.com

PHoto courtesy titan media relations

improved quickness. He has even earned a scholarship because of his improvment.

“When Kurt first showed up here he was a hard worker with good basic wrestling skills, but he needed to develop muscle,” said Titan Wrestling Head Coach Dan Hicks. “He’s improved a ton.”

Klimek made it to the NCAA tournament this year, and he reflected on his accomplishments so far.

“I don’t think I would have got as far as I have anywhere else,” he said.

Cal State Fullerton Baseball lost their second consecutive game to the No. 1 Arizona State Sun Devils 8-6 in what started as a pitcher’s duel and ended in an offensive showdown, with ASU capturing their 17th victory in a row to start the season.

Starting pitcher sophomore Tyler Pill pitched well enough for the win but gets a no decision, giving up one earned run, on seven hits, three walks and five strikeouts.

“I felt good. The first two innings I was a little tight, not nervous, but a little sore, then I started to loosen up and got a feel for things in the later innings,” Pill said.

“I never look to moral victories in defeat, but if we use this the right way, I really believe we got better these last two games,” Titan Head Coach Dave Serrano said.

The game was tied into the top of the seventh inning when the Sun Devils broke the score open when

Photo By Sue Lagarde/For the Daily Titan The Titans fell short to ASU in a two-game series at Goodwin Field.

sophomore catcher Austin Barnes reached on an error, and back-toback singles brought Barnes home to give ASU the lead 2-1.

With runners on second and third Calhoun crushed a ball to center where junior center fielder Gary Brown made the play of the night in a sprint toward the wall to make an unbelievable catch and throwing the ball to junior shortstop Christian Colon who relayed the throw home

to throw out MacPhee who tried to score.

“The balls were really carrying tonight and they swung the bats really well and I knew he hit it hard, and I just turned and went and jumped and luckily I caught it,” Brown said.

The Titans will travel north to face the University of Washington for a three game weekend series this weekend and will return home March 26 against Hawaii at 7 p.m.